Golden Eagles can't catch up to Blue Raiders

Feb 26, 2009

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The Golden Eagles made the short
drive to Murfreesboro, Tenn., to square off against in-state rival
Middle Tennessee on Wednesday, and the game came down to the final
batter, with the Blue Raiders taking a 9-8 decision over Tech.

The Golden Eagles (3-2) started off the scoring in the first inning
when freshman Ben Burgess hit a three-run homer, the first of his
career. MTSU (5-0) was quick to respond with three runs of its own
in the bottom half of the inning.

After a scoreless second inning, Tech added a pair of runs in the
third, taking a 5-3 lead. However, the Blue Raiders responded
again, and tied the game in the bottom of the inning.

Senior Blake Forst got the start on the mound for the Golden
Eagles, and worked 2.2 innings, giving up five earned runs before
senior Ryan Dennick entered the game in relief.

In the sixth inning MTSU junior Stuart Meinhart broke the 5-5 tie
with a two-out grand slam off of Dennick, putting the Blue Raiders
up 9-5.

Although Tech did not commit an error in the game, a miss-played
foul ball kept the sixth inning alive for MTSU.

“Defensively we have to handle the ball better,” head
coach Matt Bragga said. “But tip your hat to them for taking
advantage of their opportunities. Just a couple plays can change
the game, it makes a real big difference.”

Tech narrowed the gap in the eighth inning when Heath
Cheverton’s two-run blast made the score 9-7.

Lee Henry came in to pitch for Tech in the seventh inning, and
retired six straight batters, giving Tech a chance in the ninth.
With runners on first and second in the final inning, Burgess hit
an RBI single, pulling Tech within one. But Coty Woods struck out
Evan Webb to end the game.

“We were down 9-5, and made it 9-8, and we had the part of
the order that we wanted up to bat,” Bragga said.

Tech finished the game with 11 hits and no errors, while MTSU got
its nine runs on seven hits, and committed no errors.

Dennick suffered the loss for Tech, and is now 0-1 in the young
season. Nick Montgomery earned the win for the Blue Raiders, while
Woods got the save.